ABSTRACT
Objective:The paper aims at developing a method of defining and visualizing the scope of the basic medical insurance pharmacy service, and provides a new way of thinking for the designated pharmacy planning. Methods:Collecting the basic data and information on administrative divisions in the planning area taking equity and efficiency as the guidance, using ArcGIS and its function modules to define and visualize the scope of the medical in-surance pharmacy service. The procedure of issue focus, method improvement, data simulation, expert consultation, methodology perfecting were followed to define and visualize the scope. Results:Forming a whole set of operative pro-cedures of defining and visualizing the scope of the medical insurance pharmacy service based on medical resources allocation standard, and the operation commands and procedures in ArcGIS were clarified. Conclusion:Operating ac-cording to the appropriate method steps, the following can be achieved:(1) The adjacent scope of medical insurance pharmacy service are adjacent to each other but do not overlap or cross;(2) Spatial relations can be clearly and ef-fectively expressed;(3) The shape is flat and regular;(4) The data collected at different times can be comparable in space, providing good prerequisites for medical insurance designated pharmacy planning.
ABSTRACT
<b>Objective: </b>To reveal the current use of medication notebooks in clinical practice and the differences in submission rates of medication notebooks among patients with different sociodemographic and medical characteristics.<br><b>Methods: </b>We conducted a survey of the submission rates by studying the medication history, from June 19, 2014, to July 3, 2014.<br><b>Results: </b>The overall submission rate of returning patients was 57.1% and the submission rate of patients who visit a single medical institution was significantly lower than patients who visit more than two (55.4% vs. 67.7%, <i>p</i><0.001). Multivariate logistic regression also indicated significant differences between the single and multiple medical institution visit group (adjusted OR=2.74 [95% CI: 1.93-3.89], <i>p</i><0.001). Submission rates for patients in their 20, 30, and 50 s who visit a single medical institution were lower than 40%.<br><b>Conclusions: </b>To improve the usefulness of the community pharmacy and increase the submission rate, we need to increase awareness of the importance of medication notebooks among patients who visit a single medical institution. Additionally, future studies need to focus on factors such as age-related issues that might affect submission rates.
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Relationships between physicians and pharmaceutical companies have received considerable attention regarding the professionalism of health care professionals in recent years. Pharmacists may also have a conflict of interest if they are provided some benefits from pharmaceutical companies. We conducted a survey of pharmacists in hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in mid 2011. The response rate was 58.8％（235/400）. Most pharmacists（94％） reported some type of relationship with pharmaceutical companies, which included receiving ballpoint pens and notebooks（88.5％）, or receiving food in a meeting（56.6％）. Managerial level pharmacists received more “textbooks and guidelines”, “gifts” than other pharmacists. The results of this survey indicate that relationships between pharmacists and companies is common. The formulation of guidelines and more responsible behaviors are needed.
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<b>Purpose</b>: We investigated the involvement of the pharmacy, as a health care resource that supports regional palliative care, in the treatment of patients who received continuous sedation during home-based care. <b>Method</b>: Of the home-based patients with end-stage diseases who received guidance for the management of home-based care between January 2011 and December 2012, this study involved 13 patients who were treated with sedation to relieve pain, and died at home. The survey items included the improvement of pain levels after the initiation of sedation, the number of prescriptions for sterile preparations, number of home visits made by physicians and pharmacists, and the change in the purpose of home visits made by pharmacists. <b>Result</b>: The improvement of pain levels was 76.9%. The number of prescriptions for sterile preparations and that of home visits made by physicians and pharmacists (per day) significantly increased after the initiation of sedation. Concerning the change in the purpose of home visits, an "emergency situation" became significantly more prevalent. <b>Conclution</b>: In the care of patients undergoing sedation at home, it is necessary to have physicians who can respond to emergency situations; thus, a similar system must be established for the pharmacy as a health care resource that supports regional care.
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Background : This questionnaire survey was performed to clarify the present status and especially the problems with dispensing herbal medicines and counseling patients.Objectives : To survey 15 pharmacies approved under the National Health Insurance System to dispense herbal medicines prescribed by Department of Japanese Oriental (Kampo) Medicine, Chiba University Hospital.Results : Twelve pharmacies responded that 1,900, the present fee allowed for dispensing herbal medicines, was low. The time for dispensing herbal medicine via an automatic packaging machine was half of that dispensed by humans. Many pharmacies requested a re-evaluation of the fee based on the length of a prescription and the number of herbs in a formula, and requested a re-evaluation of the drug price standards. About half of the pharmacists surveyed also had a poor knowledge of herbal medicines.Conclusion : We suggest that economical aspects of dispensing herbal medicine should be improved to secure more insurance pharmacies which can dispense herbal medicines. There is also a need to construct education systems for pregraduate and postgraduate university students in order to train pharmacists who will have a thorough knowledge of Kampo Medicine.